On October 13th, disabled activists from Not Dead Yet and Second Thoughts MA gathered outside of the John Adams Courthouse, home of the MA Supreme Judicial Court, for a peaceful leafleting action to show that the assisted suicide case of Kligler v Healey should be decided by the legislature rather than by a handful of judges. STMA members John B. Kelly, Ellen Leigh, and Pamela Daly, as well as NDY staff Anita Cameron and Jules Good, gave short speeches about the disastrous impact assisted suicide legislation has on the disabled community. Dozens of cars and pedestrians passed by during their time in front of the court house, with many stopping to read our signs or ask questions.
A press advisory was issued prior to the protest. Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN) News ran a feature on the event, and also conducted an interview with NDY’s Assistant Director, Jules Good. The link to the feature can be found here, and the link to the interview can be found here. Both videos are also embedded below.
Before the action, participants held a moment of silence to commemorate the recent passing of MetroWest center for Independent living executive director Paul Spooner. Paul was a long time state leader in disability rights and the generous sponsor of second thoughts MA website.